02.11.2026 06:20
Nine people died when a private jet that took off from the US state of Florida bound for the Bahamas crashed into a residential area. Radio recordings captured the pilot, who had reported icing and turbulence before the crash, saying, "Mayday, mayday! We are descending 20,000 feet per minute. We are going to crash into the ground." After the disaster, which the Governor of Florida described with the words "It was as if a missile was falling," approximately 600 people were evacuated.
A private jet disaster occurred in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. A Learjet 60 private aircraft that took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas crashed into the Cresthaven residential area at around 12:50 local time. A large explosion occurred when the plane hit the ground, and the wreckage was engulfed in flames.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all 9 people on board died. After the crash, hundreds of people were evacuated from the area, while aviation authorities launched a large-scale investigation to determine the cause.
PILOT'S LAST WORDS REVEALED: "WE'RE GOING TO CRASH INTO THE GROUND"
Air traffic control recordings that emerged after the crash revealed what happened in the final minutes before the plane went down. The pilot, who contacted Miami Air Traffic Control Center, reported that the aircraft had light and manageable clear icing and was experiencing moderate turbulence.
After precipitation began in the area, the pilot requested permission to climb to a higher altitude, and shortly afterward declared an emergency as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude.
In the pilot's radio communication, the pilot was heard saying, "We're descending 8,000 feet per minute. Mayday, mayday! We're descending 10,000 feet per minute."
In the final moments when control was lost, the pilot's words were recorded as: "We're in an overspeed condition, descending 20,000 feet per minute. We're going to crash into the ground."
FLORIDA GOVERNOR: "IT WAS AS IF A MISSILE WAS FALLING"
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in a statement at the crash site, said the incident was extremely devastating and stated, "It was a catastrophic plane crash. It was as if a missile was falling. It left a large crater by the roadside."
As a result of the plane striking near Military Trail road, just next to the residential area, a deep crater formed in the ground. Due to the impact of the explosion, aircraft parts were scattered over a wide area, fires broke out nearby, and power lines were damaged.
Images from the scene showed that part of the road had collapsed and wreckage pieces had been thrown near homes.
DeSantis announced that, according to initial assessments, no reports had been received of anyone dead or injured among people on the ground.
AROUND 600 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED
After the crash, a large-scale evacuation was launched due to damage to homes and infrastructure in the area where the aircraft wreckage fell.
Palm Beach County District 3 Commissioner Joel Flores, one of the first local officials to reach the scene, announced that around 600 people needed a safe shelter where they could spend the night.
Flores reported that area residents were directed to temporary shelter centers and that the American Red Cross was standing by to provide support to those in need.
It was stated that efforts were continuing to place evacuated people in safe areas.
THERE HAD BEEN WARNINGS OF SEVERE STORMS AND ICING IN THE AREA
At the time of the crash, it was determined that thunderstorms, heavy showers, and strong storm cells were affecting southern Florida.
It was recorded that the aircraft passed through a stronger storm cell a few minutes before its sudden loss of altitude.
In the area where the flight took place, there was a convective SIGMET warning issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aviation activities, indicating hazardous meteorological conditions such as severe thunderstorms.
SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) refers to meteorological warnings about significant weather phenomena that could threaten flight safety.
Although the pilot reported icing, precipitation, and turbulence, it has not yet been definitively established whether the bad weather conditions directly caused the crash.
Authorities are expected to assess the aircraft's technical condition and the impact of weather conditions on the flight as part of the investigation.
TRUMP HAD LEFT THE AREA ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE CRASH
It was reported that the crash site was located about 6.4 kilometers south of the airport in West Palm Beach.
It was learned that US President Donald Trump was also in West Palm Beach early on Sunday, but left the area aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One about an hour before the crash.
No official information has been shared indicating any connection between Trump's flight and the crash.
FEDERAL INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO THE CRASH
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the crash, in which 9 people died, as "a terrible tragedy."
Duffy announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had sent a team to the area to support the investigation efforts.
An investigation was launched led by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash.
NTSB investigators are planned to conduct examinations at the scene on Sunday and Monday, and a press conference on the initial findings of the investigation is planned for Monday.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the 9 people who died on board or how many were crew members and how many were passengers.
The exact cause of the crash is expected to be determined as a result of technical examinations.